Translation guide
Expresses the idea of a negative outcome occurring due to bad luck or misfortune. Japanese uses conditional forms with words for 'unlucky' or 'bad luck', often in set phrases.
If one is unlucky, one might get caught in the rain.
The conditional form of 'unlucky'. Slightly more formal or written than 運が悪いと.
If one is unlucky, one may fail the exam.
An adverb meaning 'unfortunately' or 'by bad luck'. Used to describe an unlucky event that happened, not a general condition.
Unfortunately, he had an accident.
Literally 'if luck is not attached'. A colloquial way to say 'if one is out of luck'.
If you're out of luck, nothing goes well.
To express a worst-case scenario or a negative possibility.
運が悪いと focuses on personal luck, while 悪くすると is more about circumstances turning bad. Both can translate 'if one is unlucky', but 悪くすると is often used for objective situations.
If you're unlucky, you won't win the lottery.
If things go badly, the company might go bankrupt.
If you're unlucky, you might have to wait over an hour.